Western Dance Costumes: Outfits Reflect Dancers' Styles

Western dance costumes are more practical than anything. They are designed to allow the dancer ease of movement and to draw attention to the body and grace of the dancer. These Western dance costumes also represent the specific style of the dancer, whether it be based in hip hop or the American country-western culture.

Identification

When you think of dance costumes, you may think of dancing clowns and Halloween outfits, but a costume is essentially nothing more than an outfit that fits the moment. So when we're talking about Western dance costumes, there are a wide range of styles to discuss, including hip hop costumes, country-western dance costumes and swing dancing costumes

The northeastern United States is where you will find the origins of hip hop western dance costumes. The style of clothing is deeply routed in the hip hop culture. Country-western dance costumes are also based on cultural attributes of the Southwestern United States. Swing dancing costumes are less stringent and can vary from a 60s theme to more modern "new millenium" styles.

Hip Hop Clothes

Hip Hop music was developed in the 1970s by African Americans and Latinos. From the music, several dancing trends were formed including popular dances like the Cabbage Patch, Kid and Play, Roger Rabbit, and Pop and Lock. Nowadays, hip-hop dancing has permeated to cultures all over the world.

Hip Hop dance costumes are usually based on urban wear. Men will commonly wear baggy jeans to allow for easy movements, and shirts that are embroidered with major hip hip designers. Female hip hop dancers will go either way, with tight stretchy clothing or baggy clothing as well. A major trait of hip hop costumes are the colors used--many hip hop dancers like to wear basic colors with splashes of color everywhere.

Cowboy Style Costumes

Country-western dancing is extremely popular in the South and Southwestern United States. Dances include the Honky Tonk, Square Dancing, and standard line dancing.

Many Country-western style dancers show up in the following types of costumes: upscale ballroom style or western style. The upscale Ballroom look is a somewhat dressy costume in which participants dress in rhinestones and fringes. Western style outfits include cowboy boots, hats, jeans plaid shirts (for men) and shiny belt buckles. These dancers are usually ready to ride their horses into the sunset after a good round of dancing.

Swing Dancing Costumes

Swing dancing originated in America in 1920s Harlem, New York. It is a rhythmic dance that is highly dependent on the syncopated beats of the accompanying music. The dancing is untamed yet carefully orchestrated as both dancers must be familiar with the steps.

The men are not usually the focal point of this popular western dance, but they still have to look sharp. A common male swing dancing costume will including a clean, crisp shirt, dark pants, and shiny shoes.

Because swing dancing involves many wild and fluid motions on the part of the female dancer, she is usually costumed in big, flared '60s-style dresses. To finish off the feminine look of the swing dancer, there is usually some type of belt or sash around the waist and a snug fitting top.

Function

As you can see, many Western dance costumes are tailored to fit the dancer and make it easier to perform complicated movements, as in the case of Hip Hop dancing, Country-western dancing, and Swing dancing.

Hip-hop dancers need more room to move around, thus baggier clothing and sneakers, country-western dancers don't mind wearing tight jeans and boots because their movements are more restrained, and Swing dancers prefer a costume that allows them to really get loose! So the one thing that all of these western dance costumes have in common is the practicality of the design.

Sources:

"Hip Hop Dancing" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_dance

"Country-Western Dance Floor Etiquette" http://www.cowgirls.com/dream/jan/dancetip.htm

"Swing Dance Clothing" http://www.swingdanceandlindyhop.com/articles/swing-dance-clothing.shtml